Time

10 minutes

Description

This fun energizer gets people up, moving, and making funny sounds as they mimic what animals sound like where they are from. Different cultures often have different sounds for the same animal, and the differences can be surprising and quite funny sometimes. This energizer works best with an international group.

Scripture

Acts 2:1-12 (Pentecost – …how is it that each of us hears them in our own language?)

Revelation 7:9 (…great multitude…from every nation, tribe, people and language…)

Materials

Printout of the slips of paper on the next page

Preparation

Print the next page, and cut it into slips. (Cut out just enough slips for the number of participants you have, and try to use the same number of slips for each animal if possible. It’s not necessary to use all the slips or all the animals.)

Fold the slips, and mix them in a bowl.

Procedure

Use the following procedure:

Have everyone draw one of the slips of paper from the bowl.

Instruct them not to share the type of animal written on their slip.

When you say, “GO!” they should circulate around the room making the sound of that animal from their culture.

Without using any other sounds, words or gestures (and without showing their slip of paper to anyone), they should try to form groups made up of participants who all have the same animals.

When everyone has formed up in groups, have them share their animal to see if they are in the right group.

If they are in the wrong group, let them move to the right group.

Give the groups time to talk about the different sounds and why they think animals seem to make different noises in different cultures.

If it fits with your goals for your program, debrief with the following questions and points:

Would any group like to share how different the sounds were for your animal?

We often see and experience the same thing in different ways when we are from different cultures. Why do you think this is true?

What can we learn from this experience?

Why do you think God created us with such diversity? (You may want to reference the Scriptures at the top of this page.)

How should we think or act differently when we encounter cultural differences in the future?